Mold for casting concrete window frames in a wall



M rch 1955 P. PUCKETT, JR.,' ETAL 2,704,876

MOLD FOR CASTING CONCRETE WINDOW FRAMES IN A WALL Filed Feb. 15, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS LAWRENCE E PUCKETT, JR JACK SCHILLINGER JOSHUA J. Seem.

DAVID BLUMBERG ATTORNEY.

M r 1955 1.. P. PUCKETT, JR, ETAL 2,704,876

MOLD FOR CASTING CONCRETE WINDOW FRAMES IN A WALL Filed Feb. 15, 1954 3 ShEtS-Shgi 2 JNVENTORS LAWRENCE P. PUCKET'LJR JACK SCHILLINGER BY JOSHUA J. 55am.

FG. 5. DAVID BLUMBERG.

M 71. 22 Arron/5x March 1955 1.. P. PUCKETT, JR, EFAL 2,704,876

MOLD FOR CASTING CONCRETE wmnow FRAMES IN A WALL Filed Feb. 15, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Pi G .7

- INVENTORS LAWRENCE R PucKETT, JR.

JACK Scmumeaz JOSHUA J. Seem.

DAVID BLUMBERG. U Arm n/n.

United States Patent MOLD FOR CASTING CONCRETE WINDOW FRANIES IN A WALL Lawrence P. Puckett, In, and Jack Schillinger, Miami, Joshua J. Sega], Coral Gables, and David Blnmberg, Miami Beach, Fla.

Application February 15, 1954, Serial No. 410,210

2 Claims. (Cl. 25--131) This invention relates to a method of and means for casting concrete window frames directly in place in a building wall.

Concrete window frames have found wide favor both from the standpoint of economy and because they are substantially imperishable.

However, there are certain disadvantages inherent in the use of concrete frames under present practice in that, under such practice they are precast at the factory, hauled to the job, and set in place in pre-formed window openings of the building walls as the building is constructed. It has been found that many of these precast frames are chipped and cracked in transit to the job. Further, these precast frames are diflicult to handle. In their larger sizes it is a laborious task to actually set them in place, in many cases it is necessary to employ a crane or truck to handle them.

Further, the fact that the frame is manufactured wholly separate from the wall means that joints are left between the frames and the building walls. This involves the necessity of sealing these joints against the entry of water which, heretofore has proven relatively ineffective.

The foregoing disadvantages are all overcome by casting the frame directly in place under conditions where the cement may make a direct bond with the masonry walls and thus avoid the formation of joints. Further, the fact that the cement constituting the frame does not have to be all put in place at the same moment but may be fed gradually into the forms of this invention, means that the weight that has to be handled at any given moment is comparatively small.

An important feature of this invention resides in the employment of a sectional mold comprising side jamb members and a header member and with the jamb members being so shaped at their lower ends as to accurately engage upon a precast concrete window sill that has been previously installed at the bottom of the window opening.

The invention further contemplates novel structural details whereby the jamb members and the header member are rigidly and accurately connected against shifting when installed within the window opening and with the jamb members being provided with means whereby they may be securely clamped in partial overlying relationship to a previously constructed wall area.

The invention also provides for the quick and easy removal of the several form members after the concrete has been poured therein and has sufficiently hardened.

Details of construction and advantages of the invention will be best appreciated after a consideration of the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of the several form members in their disassembled relation.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the several form members clamped in position upon opposed wall sections and overlying a precast concrete window sill,

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the device of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a precast window sill,

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 3 and,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section taken substantially on line 77 of Figure 4.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a building wall, here indicated as consisting of concrete blocks, which has been built to the height of the 2,704,876 Patented Mar. 29, 1955 top of the window opening. The numeral 6 designates a precast concrete sill member which has previously been installed at the bottom of the window opening and, as is customary, has been imbedded in a cement mortar whereby its bottom will be successfully water-proofed. The sill member is of conventional form to be co-extensive in width to the concrete blocks of the building wall and includes an upstanding rib 7 which, in the finished building will align with and support the window sash and their supporting frames.

The mold comprises the side or jamb shells 8 and a top or header shell 9. Each of the side shells 8 are of channel formation and are provided with a web portion 10 and right angularly disposed flanges 11. The web 10 has been stamped outwardly to form a raised rib 12 having a forwardly directed wall portion 13 that constitutes the means for forming a circumferential seat for the cast frame that corresponds to and is in alignment with the forward face of the rib 7 of the sill and against which the metallic frame of the window will be secured. Each of the side shells at their lower ends have their web portions cut away at 14 to correspond to the transverse configuration of the sill 6 whereby the members 8 will have a conforming seat upon the sill that is substantially close enough to prevent the passage of a concrete mix therepast. The flanges 11 are extended downwardly below the web 10 and, in use are adapted to engage upon the inner and outer vertical faces of the sill 6.

As clearly shown in Figure 2 the flanges 11 are slightly flexible and prior to the installation of the form, assume an outward angle. This angle facilitates the installation of the flanges to an overlying relationship with the wall structure 5. Since the flanges 11 in use must have a firm contacting engagement with the wall 5 prior to the pouring of the concrete, each of the flanges are provided with upper and lower angle irons 15 and 16, welded or otherwise rigidly connected thereto. Toggle links 17 are pivotally connected to each pair of companion angles 16 as at 18 and, these links are pivotally connected as at 19. It will thus be apparent that when the links 17 are shifted to an aligned or parallel position, the links lock automatically and the flanges 11 will be shifted inwardly to a firm clamping engagement with the wall areas 5. Each of the flanges 11 adjacent their tops are provided with inwardly directed plates 20 welded or otherwise connected thereto and these plates adjacent their free ends are apertured at 21 for the passage of an assembly rod 22, to be presently described.

The header shell 9 comprises a flat web portion 23 having a forward upwardly raised channel portion 24. The web 23 terminates at its rear edge in a depending flange 25, while the channel portion 24 terminates in a depending flange 26. The opposite ends of flange 25 and 26 are preferably beveled at 27 to facilitate the installation of the mold members. Each of the flanges 25 and 26 are provided with depending plates 28, the lower ends of which are apertured to have axial alignment with the apertures 21 at assembly. The web 23 has been cut away at its opposite ends at 20 to correspond to the shape of the rib 12 of the jamb members 8. The ends of the header member 9 at assembly are adapted to overlie the upper ends of the jamb members 8, a distance corresponding to the gauge of metal employed in the members 8. The inner rear wall 30 of the channel 24 corresponds to the wall portion 13 of the jamb members 8 and forms a continuation of such wall area throughout the top and sides of the window to be molded. The upper end of each member 8 is extended to beengaged within and conform to the channel 24. It will be clearly apparent that the mold members will be formed of any suitable gauge of metal having suflicient rigidity against flexing under the weight of concrete poured therein. It should be here stated that it is desirable in a method of forming window frames such as is disclosed in this application that the frame and the well known lintel or belt course shall be simultaneously poured as an integral unit.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Assuming that the window opening has been formed and the sill 6 installed therein, the jamb members are then arranged in a vertical position with their lower ends resting upon the sill 6. The header 9 is then positioned in abutting relation to the jambs 8 with the plates 20 and 28 overlying each other and with their apertures in registry. The pins 22 are then inserted through the plates from side to side and securely lock the header and the jambs in a rigid and right angle position. The plates 20 and 28 due to the conforming and matching engagement between the upper ends of the jambs 8 and header 9 will prevent the jambs 8 from shifting. In this assembled relationship the flanges 11 partially overlie the wall and the lower ends of the flanges partially overlie the inner and outer sides of the sill 6. shifted to their position of alignment for moving the flanges 11 inwardly to clamping engagement with their inner and outer sides of the wall blocks 5. To prevent any possibility of the jamb members shifting inwardly under the weight of pouring the concrete, each jamb member adjacent its lower end and preferably upon the rib 12 is provided with rigid socket members 31 into which is positioned an angle bar 32. The device is now ready to be filled with concrete. However, since it is desirable that the lintel and the window frames be simultaneously poured, the usual lintel forms are positioned around the top of the wall 5 as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 6. These forms are clamped in position in the usual well known manner and form no essential part of the present invention. Now, with the lintel forms in position and clamped against the flanges 25 and 26 of the header 9, the operator proceeds to pour the lintel course as is customary and, during this pouring the concrete is forced downwardly through the channel formed by the jambs 8 and the ends of the blocks 5, eflecting a positive bond with the sill 6 and the usual mortar channels of the blocks 5 thus providing what in effect amounts to an integral structure having no joints through which water may enter. As shown in Figure 7, it will be seen that the lintel and the jambs are substantially a unitary structure. Now, after the concrete has hardened sufficiently for the forms to be removed, the operator first swings the bar 32 upwardly and removes it from the assembly. Each of the toggle links 17 are then broken inwardly to cause the flanges to flex outwardly and relieve their bond with the wall and the cast frame. The pins 22 are then removed and the jamb members 8 shifted inwardly at their bottoms to disengage header 9 at which time they are easily removed from the opening. The header 9 obviously may be dropped downwardly after its release from the opening and this leaves a concrete frame around the window opening having'a continuous annular abutment for the reception of the usual and well known flange carried by metallic window frames. The forms will obviously be constructed in various sizes to accommodate the standard types of windows now upon the market, with the header and jambs being interchangeable.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that an extremely simple and economical form has been provided for easting in place a concrete window frame. The, elements constituting this invention are easily and quickly installed in a preformed wall opening and require no external braces for maintaining the same in an accurate position for pouring. The novel header form is capable of supporting the very considerable weight of the concrete forming the lintel and requires no additional supports for this purpose as is so common in structures heretofore employed. The method of forming the window frame is most desirable since it provides a very effective bond with the wall and the sill and avoids the usual mortar joints common with precast window frames now in use and which have experienced considerable water leakage due to the lack of suflicient mortar in the joints. The parts are simple, cheap to manufacture, are strong, durable and result in very considerable savings in labor costs and equipment.

The toggle links 17 are then It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular shapes shown, but that it includes within its purview whatever changes fairly come within either the terms or the spirit of the appended claims.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A mold for casting a concrete window frame in place in a preformed opening formed in a concrete block wall and wherein a precast concrete window sill has been installed at the bottom of the wall opening, the mold comprising a pair of channelled jamb forming members and a cooperating header forming member, the jamb members each provided with side flanges that are adapted to overlie the wall area at each side of the opening for the full height of the wall opening, the bottom of each jamb member being cut away to engage upon and conform to the transverse shape of the sill and with the lower ends of the flanges engaging the inner and outer faces of the sill, each of the jamb members shaped to form a rib portion that provides a stop'shoulder upon the window frame to be cast for its fullheight and with the stop shoulder forming a continuation of a stop shoulder that is formed upon the sill, the header member being shaped at its opposite ends to conform with the upper ends of the jamb members, the header member having its opposite ends overlying and flush with the upper ends of the jamb members, the header member also being shaped to form a stop shoulder across the header of the cast window that forms a continuation of the stop shoulders formed by the jamb members, connecting plates carried by the header member adjacent each end and upon opposite sides and co-operating connector plates carried by the jamb members adjacent their upper ends, the plates at assembly being in overlying relation and with the plates being apertured for the passage of assembly pins whereby the mold members are locked together in a right angular position, each of the flanges of the jamb members provided with a plurality of arms throughout their height and with the arms of each flange being parallel and extending forwardly of the face of the jamb members, link means connected with the extended ends of the arms, the link means when in one position serving to angle the flanges outwardly to facilitate their overlying engagement with the wall, the link means when in another position serving to shift the flanges inwardly to a clamping engagement with the inner and outer faces of the wall, the links when in the second named position locking the flanges in their clamping engagement against outward movement.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the arms are in upper and lower parallel pairs, a link pivotally connected adjacent the end of each arm and with the links being also pivotally connected together, the links when shifted to the clamping position lying in a straight parallel position, each of the jamb members adjacent their bottoms being provided with an open socket and a rigid brace bar having its opposite ends engageable in the sockets to brace the jamb members against inward shifting movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,253,981 King Ian. 15, 1918 1,458,416 Johnson June 12, 1923 1,630,801 Parsons May 31, 1927 1,700,889 Heltzel Feb. 5, 1929 1,863,549 Lockwood June 14, 1932 2,011,527 Schisling Aug. 13, 1935 2,557,631 Callan June 19, 1951 

